Safety ski binding

ABSTRACT

A safety ski binding in which the bottom of the ski boot is held out of contact with the top of the ski to thereby eliminate the influence of frictional forces on the safety release feature.

ihlitefl States Patent 1191 111 3,730,543 Edmund 51 May 1, 1973 541SAFETY SKI BINDING 3,007,707 11/1961 Blackwell ..280/l 1.35 T [76]Inventor: James Mitchell Edmund, 6404 3,145,028 8/1964 Cubberley..280/11.35 T

563%; W FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,020,049 2/1959 Austria ..280/11.35 T [22] Wed: 8, 1971 418,929 8/1966 Switzerland ..280/1 1.35 T [21]App1.N0.: 105,005

Primary Examiner-Leo F riaglia Assistant Examiner-Robert R. Song [52]U.S. Cl. ..280/l1.35 T 51 11m. 01 ..A63c 9/00 F 1d f ..28 l .3 T [58] 1e0 Search 0/ 1 5 ABSTRACT [56] References Cited A safety ski binding inwhich the bottom of the ski boot is held out of contact with the top ofthe ski to UNITED STATES PATENTS thereby eliminate the influence offrictional forces on 2,745,672 5/1956 Meier ..280/l 1.35 T the safetyrelease feature. 2,513,926 7/1950 Erwin ..280/11.35 T 3,418,004 12/1968Welker ..2s0/11.35 T 22 Claims, 23 Drawmg Figures 3,504,922 4/1970 Wiley..280/11.35 T

PATENTEDHAY 1 ma SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTC R JAMES MlTCHELL EDMUNQ SAFETYSKI BINDING The present invention relates to a safety ski binding and,more particularly, to a safety ski binding, in which the bottom of theski boot is held out of contact with the top of the ski to therebyeliminate the influence of frictional forces on the safety releasefeature.

Ski bindings have generally two important functions: namely, (a) theymust be able to clamp the ski boot firmly to the ski during the normalmaneuver when skiing downhill and (b) when the skier loses control ofhisskis during a downhill run and one or the otherlof the skis deviatesfrom its desired course, threatening to twist the skiers leg severely,the safety binding must release the clamping action and permit the bootto dis engage from the ski in order to savethe leg from injury.

A large number of different designs of ski bindings are presentlycommercially available which perform the aforementioned functions (a)and (b) fairly well under certain favorable conditions. However, withall of these prior art ski bindings, these two functions (a) and (b) arenot met satisfactorily under certain conditions.

The function (a) of firmly clamping the ski boot to the ski is usuallynot completely fulfilled, due to the necessity ofa vertical clearance ofabout one-sixteenth of an inch in the toe-restraining device and theboot toe, permitting a certain amount of rocking motion of the boot onthe ski top, both longitudinally and, more importantly, laterally. Thischaracteristic of the prior art bindings makes the edging action of, theskis less positive and precise than desirable. Racers have frequentlysacrificed safety for the sake of firm edging characteristics by tyingtheir boots substantially rigidly to the skis, for example, withso-called long thongs or by tightening the toe and heel adjustments oftheir safety bindings to the point where the safety release capabilitythereof is substantially negated.

The function (b), i.e., safety release, with the low clamping pressuresrecommended for recreational skiers, functions as designed in mostcases, provided the weight of the skier is not concentrated onthe toewhen a twisting fall occurs. However, if the skier is thrown forward orforward and to one side, for example, when side slipping unexpectedlyinto a bump, the friction of the forward portion of the boot sole, whereit contacts the ski surface, as well as the increased friction in thetoe release mechanismdue to the weight loading, may increase the releaseforce required in the binding to more than double that normally obtainedwhen the weight of the skier is concentrated on theheel. This factor isbelieved to be a major cause of broken legs and of sprained anklesandknees suffered by a skier when skiing at relatively higher speeds onbumpy terrain.

Several ski binding designs presently available attempt, with partialsuccess to minimize the friction in the toe area by employing a metalplate attached to the boot toe, extending under the toe portion of thesole and resting on a metal ski plate (US. Pat. No. 3,338,587, US. Pat.No. 3,4l0,568 and US. Pat. No. 3,504,922). The means consisting of themetal plate attached to the boot toe in these prior art devices inconjunction with a portion of the boot toe plate which engages the toe'unit of the binding, provide exclusively metal-to-meta] contact, withresulting lower friction than exists where an elastomeric boot solebearsdirectly on the ski top or on a metal ski plate. However, the bootplate utilized in these prior art devices quickly becomes scratched androughened from walking on gravelly or gritty surfaces and the resultinghigher friction, relative to the ski plate, readily rises to 0.2 orhigher, causing the binding release force to again be greatly dependentupon the weight distribution of the skier at the instant of release.

One of the important advantages of the present invention resides in thefact that the frictional resistance to a lateral safety release of thetoe unit is reduced to a minimum with the result that the release torqueis practically independent of the foreand aft-weight distribution of theskier at the instant of release. This is achieved according to thepresent invention by means of a boot toe lug which protrudes forwardlyfrom the end of the boot sole and which engages with a roller that has avertical axis, which, in turn, is rotatably mounted in a cross head.The' cross head slides in a cylindrical bore which is alignedlongitudinally with respect to the ski. A compression-type cylindricalspring contained in the bore bears against the cross head, thrusting theroller against the boot toe lug. The spring pressure is adjustable'bymeans of a screw which bears against a spring follower located in thecylindrical bore, forwardly of the spring. The boot toe lug may beconveniently formed by bending a piece of steel rod into the desiredshape while the roller may have an hour-glass shape of complementaryconfiguration, designed to fit the depressed portion of the boot toelug.

The heel of the boot is securely held in place by means of a boot heellug having tapering surfaces converging toward one another which engagewith the complementary surfaces of the ski-mounted heel support, ofwhich one surface is formed by a cylindrical roller or the like with atransverse axis.

The significant improvement with the ski binding of the presentinvention is realized by the fact that the bottom surface of the skiboot, most importantly, the forward portion of the bottom surface of theboot normally does not come in contact with the top of the ski, the toelugbeing' the only part by means of which the forward portion of theboot touehesa support structure fixed on the ski and similarly, the bootheel'lug being the only part by means of which the rearward portion ofthe boot touches a support structure fixedly mounted on the ski.However, in case of older'style ski boots which do not have a completelyrigid sole as presently used, a simple tum-table type of ski plate maybe employed, located near the heel end of the boot sole, to carry partof the weight of the skier. The turntable, being located at or near thecenter of rotation when lateral release of the boot toe occurs, will notimpede the release. 7

The toe lug, in accordance with thepresent invention, is so formed thatit acts as a detent cam having a central depression which iscomplementary to and fits closely the hourglass-shaped roller of theski-mounted toe unit and thereby holds the boot toe firmly in placeuntil a lateral twisting force sufficiently great to endanger the skiersleg is imposed, at which point the roller is cammedforw'ardly by one orthe other of the sloping sides of the toe lug, depending upon thedirection of the twist, until the lug comes free of the roller and theboot is released from the ski.

In the toe piece arrangement of the present invention, a lever is usedwhich performs two functions. When inserting the ski boot into thebinding, the lever engages the boot toe lug, acting as a cam to guidethe toe lug into proper position; as the lever is pushed forward underthe pressure from the toe lug, it in turn pushes the cross head forward,permitting the toe lug to drop into place, in engagement with thecomplementary roller. The lever is also especially shaped so as toengage the toe lug central depressed portion and to guide the toe luginto engagement with the complementary roller. Thus, the lever acts as acomponent of a simple step-in" device for inserting the boot into thebinding. However, the lever is also employed again to release the toeunit when a skier desires to remove his boot from the ski, by simplypressing on the lever manually or with a ski pole tip which displacesthe cross head together with the complementary roller forwardly, therebypermitting the skier to lift the boot out of the binding.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for

purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a safety ski binding in accordancewith the present invention with a ski boot in the binding on the ski;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view on the ski binding of FIG. 1,

on a reduced scale, with the ski omitted for sake of clarity and showingonly the sole ofa ski boot;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view on the toe unit of the safety bindingin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view on the heel unit of the safety skibinding in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view taken along line CC of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view, AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view, line B-B ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 8a and 8b are, respectively, side elevational and top plan viewsof one embodiment of a toe lug in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 9a and 9b are, respectively, side and top plan views of a modifiedembodiment of a toe lug in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 10a and 10b are, respectively, side and top plan views ofa stillfurther modified embodiment ofa toe lug in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. Ila and 11h are, respectively, side and top plan views on a rearlug in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGS. 12a and 12b, FIGS. 13a and 13b, FIGS. 14a and 14b and FIGS. 15aand 15b are, respectively, side and top plan views of four furthermodified embodiments of a heel lug in accordance with the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are usedthroughout the various views to designate like parts, and moreparticularly to FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 generally designates a ski,shown only partially, onto which is clamped a boot generally taken alongtaken along 4 designated by reference numeral 30 which includes a bootsole 31. The safety ski binding, as such, consists of a toe unitgenerally designated by reference numeral and of a heel unit generallydesignated by reference numeral 150. The toe unit 100 consists of a toelug generally designated by reference 110, which, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 through 7. consists of a piece of steel rod bent into the shapeshown in FIG. 2, i.e., having two leg portions 111 and 112 connected bya cross piece 113 with a central depression 114. The two legs 111 and112 may be inserted into longitudinal holes drilled in the toe end ofthe boot sole 31, or, alternatively, may be molded in place during bootmanufacture. These leg portions 111 and 112 may be securely held inplace by any suitable bonding agent, preferably by an epoxy resin whichprovides great adhesive strength, yet is easy to use. I

The ski-mounted toe support generally designated by reference numeralconsists of a cylindrical housing 121 which is fixedly mounted on thetop of the ski 20 by means of the plate portion 122 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and5) utilizing conventional screws 123. The forward end of the housing 121has an internal thread which receives an externally threaded stop member124, itself provided with an internally threaded bore 124'. A threadedadjusting member 125, for example, provided with a slot 125' (FIG. 2) atits forward end to facilitate adjustment, is screwed into the internallythreaded bore 124' of the stop member 124 and bears against apiston-like spring-retaining member 126 (FIGS. 1 and 6), constitutingthe forward abutment for the coil spring 127 accommodated within thehousing 121. At its rearward end, the coil spring 127 rests against theend wall 128 (FIG. 6) of the cross head generally designated byreference numeral 129, which forms a forwardly extending cup-likespring-receiving portion 130 and includestwo vertically spacedrearwardly extending arm portions 131 and 132 (FIG. 6) rotatablysupporting thereon by means of a vertical pivot pin 133 a roller member134 which has a cross section of approximately hour-glass shape (FIG.6). The cross head 129 is slidably mounted relative to the cylindricalhousing 121 and carries a cross pin 136 slidably received inlongitudinal slots 137 and 138 (FIG. 7) of the cylindrical housing 121.As can be readily seen, the spring tension of spring 127 can be adjustedby screwing the adjusting member 125 more or less into the stop member124, thereby determining the release force of the safety binding as willbe described more fully hereinafter.

A lever generally designated by reference numeral 140 includes a curved,transversely extending main lever portion 141 and two longitudinal sideportions 142 and 143 extending at right angle to the main portion 141;the side portions 142 and 143 are pivotally supported on the cross pin136 to enable pivotal movement of the lever 140. As can be seen fromFIG. 1, the lateral portions 142 and 143 are each provided with adownwardly. extending prong-like projection 142 and 143' extending fromthe lower end thereof below the pivot axis of the cross pin 136 toengage with slots in the base portion of housing 121 when the lever 141is pressed forward either manually or by means of a ski pole whereby thecross pin 136 forces the cross head structure 129 forwardly against theforce of the spring 127 and thereby permits disengagement of the toe lug1 10 from the roller 134.

An advantageous angle for sloping the sides of the cross piece pp3forming the depression 114 is an angle of about 25, designated in FIG. 7by angle a which will provide a lateral release force of about one-halfas great as the spring thrust.

The hour-glass-shaped roller 13 1 has its flared surface preferablyformed at such an angle B (FIG. 6) of about 60 relative to the rolleraxis that the toe lug 110 will not disengage vertically until the upwardforce reaches a value at least about twice that of the spring thrust.This will prevent an undesired vertical release of the toe unit when theskier assumes a sitting-back position. The lower lip or arm 132 of thecross head structure 129 preferably extends slightly rearwardly beyondthe outer diameter of the hour-glass-shaped roller 134, thereby actingas a stop when the skier steps into the binding and thus insuring thatthe toe lug 114 does not snap into a position below the roller 134.

The lever 140 forms with the lower end portion 141' of the main surface141 a guide surface for guiding the toe lug 110 into the proper positionrelative to the roller 134, and for that reason is of substantiallycomplementary shape to the depression 114, as can be seen.

best from FIG. 2.

The heel unit of the safety binding in accordance with the presentinvention generally designated by reference numeral 150 consists of aheel lug generally designated by reference numeral 160 and of askimounted heel support structure generally designated by referencenumeral 170. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the heel lug 160 againconsists of two leg portions 161 and 162 suitably anchored inlongitudinal holes drilled for that purpose in the heel of the ski bootby means of an epoxy resin or molded in place during the manufacture ofthe boot. The two leg portions 161 and 162 are connected by means of across piece 163 forming a substantially horizontal bottom surface 164and a sloping top surface 165.

The ski-mounted heel structure 170 includes a plate portion 171 by meansof which the heel structure 170 is secured to the top of the ski 20, forexample, by means of screws 171. The plate portion 171 carries lateralupright roller support members 172 and 172, which rotatably supportthereon the cylindrical roller 175 by means of a pin 176. The lateralmembers 172 and 173, in fact, are joined by a cross member 174 (FIG. 4)having a substantially horizontal surface 174' so that the cylindricalroller 175, rotatable about a transverse axis,

engages the inclined surface 165 of the heel lug 160 while the flatbottom surface 164 of the heel lug rests on the flat surface 174 of theski-mounted heel structure. In the actual construction, the plate 171,the lateral members 172 and 173 and the cross member 174 may be made inone piece. 7

Additionally, in the construction shown, the portion of the ski-mountedheel structure which forms the two supports for the end of the pin 176on which the roller 175 rotates, also engage the rear side portions ofthe heel lug 160, thereby holding the heel lug and thus the boot heelfirmly against sideways motion. 7

The forward edges of the flat horizontal surface and of the verticalsurfaces of the pin supports 172 and 173 are suitably beveled tofacilitate insertion of the boot heel lug 160.

The angle of the inclined upper surface 165 of the heel lug 160 is sochosen that the resultant downward force of the heel roller 175 againstthe heel lug 160 is about twice the thrust of the toe spring 127. As aresult thereof, the heel lug 160 is wedged into a firm, shakefreeengagement with the heel support structure 170, resulting in unexcellededging qualities for the ski-binding-boot combination. Despite the firmhold-down force developed in the heel-lug, the heel roller 175 permitsthe heel lug 160 to roll upward and forward until the boot becomesdisengaged from the ski, when the skier is unexpectedly thrown forwardand the tensile force on the skiers Achilles tendon approaches adangerous magnitude. One of the desirable simplifying features madepractical by the roller-equipped toe piece and heel piece constructionaccording to the present invention is that an appropriate spring-loadingof both toe and heel units is achievable with only one single springwhich in turn has only one simple adjustment. Yet, the correct ratio ofheel hold-down force to toerestraining transverse force is reliablymaintained throughout the entire adjustment range.

Although the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 includes alongitudinally movable springloaded toe-restraining structure while theheel-restraining structure is fixed, it is practical to reverse thisarrangement, employing a fixed toe piece and a springloaded heel piece,otherwise functionally similar to the arrangement shown and describedherein.

The boot toe lug and boot heel lug may be constructed in several ways tosuit different methods of manufacture and different methods ofattachment to the boot sole. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7, thetoe lug is shown as a rod bent to the appropriate shape, with the twolegs thereof inserted into longitudinal holes drilled into the toe endof the boot sole, with the two legs thereof inserted into longitudinalholes drilled into the toe end of-the boot sole, or, alternatively,molded in place during boot manufacture.

FIGS. 80 and 8b illustrate a toe lug 210 which is formed from one pieceof flat metal, or molded or cast in one piece from metal, or from arigid, suitably reinforced plastic, designed for insertion in atransverse slot in the front portion of the boot sole.

FIGS. 9a and 9]; illustrate a toe lug 310 in which a bent rod portion iswelded or brazed to an L-shaped piece of sheet metal suitable forfastening to the underside of the toe end of the boot sole by means ofscrews.

FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate a toe lug in which a bent rod portion iswelded or brazed to an L-shaped piece of sheet metal suitable forinsertion into a transverse slot sawed into the toe end of the sole oralternatively molded in place during boot manufacture.

Whereas FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a heel lug formed of solid metalwith integral leg portions 161 and 162 which are inserted intolongitudinal holes drilled into the heel end of the boot sole, oralternatively, molded in place during boot manufacture. FIGS. 11a and11b illustrate a heel lug which is formed from a piece of solid metalwith an inclined upper surface and a flat bottom surface, welded orbrazed to an L-section piece of sheet metal, provided with holes forattaching to the bottom side of the heel end of the boot sole by meansof screws.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate a heel-lug which is formed by bending asingle piece of sheet metal so as to provide a suitably proportionedheel piece engaging portion, which also includes an L-section forwardportion provided with holes for attachment to the underside of the heelend of the boot sole by means of screws.

FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate a heel lug formed by welding or brazing apiece of solid metal, provided with an inclined upper surface and a flatlower surface, to an L-section piece or sheet metal, designed forinsertion into a transverse slot sawed into the heel end of the bootsole, or, alternatively, molded in place during boot manufacture.

FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate a heel lug formed of a single piece ofsheet metal, bent so as to provide a suitably proportioned heel pieceengaging with an inclined upper rearward surface and a flat rearwardlower surface and with a flat forward portion, designed for insertioninto a transverse slot sawed into the heel end of the boot sole, or,alternatively, molded in place during boot manufacture.

FIGS. 15a and 15b illustrate a heel lug formed of a single solid pieceof steel or rigid, suitably reinforced plastic provided with acontinuous flat bottom surface and an inclined end surface, with themain portion thereof adapted to be inserted into a transverse slot sawedinto the heel end of the boot sole, or, alternatively, molded in placeduring boot manufacture.

The installation of the toe lug and heel lug of any design asillustrated and described herein can be readily done in the usual retailshop for skis by employing a simple drilling jig or sawing or routingjig, as the case may be, to make the necessary holes or saw or routingcuts in the boot sole with proper accuracy.

In case where the toe and heel lugs are assembled to the boot byinsertion into drilled holes or sawed or routed slots, a suitableadhesive such as an epoxy-type may be employed in order to obtain a morerigid and permanent installation.

In summary, the following advantages are obtainable with a ski bindingaccording to the present invention:

Friction is reduced to a degree never before achieved, by an arrangementwhereby the toe end of the boot touches the ski-mounted unit only inrolling contact.

The heel unit, in conjunction with the toe unit, provides a completelyrigid and shake-free attachment to the ski until a twisting orheel-lifting force becomes sufficiently great to initiate the safetyrelease.

The toe and heel lugs secured to the boot sole are clear of the groundand free from the disadvantage of metal boot sole plates which not onlymar the floors but are subject to scratching and consequent highfriction when the user walks on a gritty surface. Furthermore, since theheel and toe lugs of the present invention engage rollers. rather thansliding on fixed surfaces, the

binding friction will be only slightly affected by any scratching orother surface roughening of the lug sur face which may occur.

The binding is very easy to use, permitting simple and easy step-ininsertion of the boot and has a simple, direct-acting adjustment. Therelease lever also functions very easily when removing the boot from theski.

Another unique advantage of the binding in accordance with the presentinvention resides in the fact that the adhesion of snow to the boot soledoes not interfere with the insertion of the boot into the binding sincethe boot sole is one-eighth inch or thereabout clear of the ski top whenin use.

The installation, as well as the adjustment of the safety binding inaccordance with the present invention, is simple and straight forward,thereby minimizing the requirement for experienced personnel.

While I have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art. For example, though the constructionshown herein employs a toe lug having, in effect, a notched protrudingportion, designed to engage a single-hour-glass-shaped roller, othermodifications of the basic design could obtain the same effect. Forexample, the toe lug could be prong-shaped to fit between twohour-glass-shaped rollers, having parallel vertical axes. The tworollers could also be carried in a cross head, suitably guided andrestrained so as to permit a low friction reciprocating motion of thecross head, longitudinal with respect to the ski, and springloaded sothat the rollers would press against the toe lug with appropriate force.Similarly, in lieu of a cylindrical housing, any other suitably shapedhousing could be used.

The essential feature of the present invention resides in that the toelug is supported in a roller or rollers so that the forward portion ofthe boot sole does not touch the ski and so that frictional resistanceto lateral disengagement of the boot toe is mainly rolling frictionrather than sliding friction. If so desired, the cross head structurecarrying the toe piece roller or rollers may also be guided by fixedaxis rollers in its reciprocating motion, thereby eliminatingpractically all sliding friction. However, this is normally notnecessary since smooth and well-lubricated guideways, suitably protectedfrom the weather can insure a sufficiently low frictional resistance tolongitudinal cross-head movement in order that the overall disengagementresistance, for practical purposes, is independent of the weightdistribution of the skier at the moment of release.

Consequently, it is obvious that the present invention is susceptible ofnumerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the artand I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the details shownanddescribed herein, but intend to cover all of those changes andmodifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A safety ski binding which includes a toe structure and a heelstructure, characterized by means releasably holding at least the entireforward portion of the underside of the sole of the ski boot spaced fromthe surface of the ski including toe and heel lug means projectingforwardly and rearwardly from the boot sole, and, fixedly mounted toeand heel support means on the ski each including anti-friction rollermeans for engagement with the respective lug means to provideasuspension of the ski boot from said surface and an anti-frictionroller action at both the toe and heel support means about a respectivepivot axis so that also a downward force on the toe support means isresisted by an anti-friction roller action, one of said support meansincluding spring means for spring-loading the binding to normally clampthe boot to the ski while enabling release in case of a predeterminedforce.

2. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that onlyone spring is used in the safety binding.

3. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said toe and heelsupport means including the anti-friction roller means thereof hold theentire underside of the sole of the ski boot spaced from the surface ofthe ski to thereby form an exclusively anti-friction suspension of theski boot and to thereby minimize variations in the force necessary tooperate the ski binding release as a result of variations in the weightdistribution while simultaneously avoiding variations in the frictionalforces that might otherwise affect the release.

4. A safety ski binding according to claim 3, characterized in that thetoe lug means engages with a roller means rotatably supported in the toesupport means about a substantially vertical axis and restraining thetoe lug means against lateral movement of the boot in the absence of aforce overcoming the spring-loading by said spring means. I

5. A safety ski binding according to claim 4, characterized in that theheel support means includes a roller means rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis which engages with an inclined surface ofthe heel lug means.

6. A safety ski binding according to claim 5, characterized in that theother surface of the heel lug means is substantially horizontal andengages with a substantially horizontal surface in said heel supportmeans.

7. A safety ski binding according to claim 6, characterized by levermeans pivotally mounted in the toe support means for guiding the toe lugmeans into proper engagement with the toe roller means and for enablingdisengagement of the toe roller means from said toe lug means bydepressing said lever means.

8. A safety ski binding according to claim 7, characterized in that saidtoe support means includes a housing containing therewithin a spring,the forward end of said spring resting against an abutment and the rearend of said spring resting against a cross-head structure slidablymounted relative to the housing, said crosshead structure rotatablysupporting the toe roller means.

9. A safety binding according to claim 3, wherein said spring meansspring loads the toe support means to enable a displacement thereof inthe forward direction of the ski against the force of the spring means.

10. A safety ski binding according to claim 9, characterized by means inthe toe support means operable to guide the toe support means intoengagement with the toe lug means as well as to actuate the spring meansfor purposes of disengagement of the toe support means from said toe lugmeans.

11. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that theheel support means includes a roller means rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis which engages with an inclined surface ofthe heel lug means.

12. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that theother surface of the heel lug means is substantially horizontal andengages with a substantially horizontal surface in said heel supportmeans.

13. A safety binding according to claim I], characterized in that theroller means is substantially cylindrical.

14. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized by levermeans pivotally mounted in the toe support means for guiding the toe lugmeans into proper engagement and for enabling disengagement of the toesupport means from said toe lug means by depressing said lever means.

15. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid lug and support means maintain a predetermined free clearancebetween the underside of the ski boot sole and the top of the ski overthe entire area of the ski boot sole.

16. A safety ski binding according to claim 15, characterized in thatonly one spring is used in the safety binding.

17. A safety binding according to claim 1, characterized in thatsubstantially exclusively relative rolling movement between respectivetoe lug and support means enables release of the binding.

18. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said spring meansspring loads the toe support means to enable a displacement thereof inthe forward direction of the ski against the force of the spring means.

19. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that theski boot is supported exclusively by said toe and heel support meanswith respect to the ski.

20. A safety ski binding which includes a toe structure and a heelstructure, characterized by means releasably holding at least the entireforward portion of the underside of the sole of the ski boot spaced fromthe surface of the ski including toe and heel lug means projectingforwardly and rearwardly from the boot sole, and fixedly mounted toe andheel support means on the ski each including anti-friction roller meansfor engagement with the respective lug means, one of said support meansincluding spring means for spring-loading the binding to normally clampthe boot to the ski while enabling release in case of predeterminedforce, said toe support means including a housing containing therewithina spring, the forward end of said spring resting against an abutment andthe rear end of said spring resting against a cross-head structureslidably mounted relative to the housing, said cross-head structurerotatably supporting a toe roller means.

21. A safety ski binding according to claim 20, characterized by levermeans pivotally mounted in the toe support means for guiding the toe lugmeans into proper engagement with the toe roller means and for enablingdisengagement of the roller means from said toe lug means by depressingsaid lever means.

22. A safety ski binding which includes a toe structure and a heelstructure, characterized by means of releasably holding at least theentire forward portion of the underside of the sole of the ski bootspaced from the surface of the ski including toe and heel lug meansprojecting forwardly and rearwardly from the boot sole, and fixedlymounted toe and heel support means on the ski each includinganti-friction roller means for engagement with the respective lug means,one of said support means including spring means for spring-loading thebinding to normally clamp the boot to the ski while enabling release incase of predetermined force, said toe and heel support means includingthe anti-friction roller means thereof holding the entire underside ofthe sole of the ski boot spaced from the surface to in the absence of aforce overcoming the spring-loading by said spring means, said rollermeans having a sub-' stantially hour-glass shape while the toe lug meansincludes a transversely extending portion with a depressionsubstantially complementary to the hour-glass shape.

1. A safety ski binding which includes a toe structure and a heelstructure, characterized by means releasably holding at least the entireforward portion of the underside of the sole of the ski boot spaced fromthe surface of the ski including toe and heel lug means projectingforwardly and rearwardly from the boot sole, and fixedly mounted toe andheel support means on the ski each including anti-friction roller meansfor engagement with the respective lug means to provide a suspension ofthe ski boot from said surface and an anti-friction roller action atboth the toe and heel support means about a respective pivot axis sothat also a downward force on the toe support means is resisted by anantifriction roller action, one of said support means including springmeans for spring-loading the binding to normally clamp the boot to theski while enabling release in case of a predetermined force.
 2. A safetyski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that only one springis used in the safety binding.
 3. A safety ski binding according toclaim 1, wherein said toe and heel support means including theanti-friction roller means thereof hold the entire underside of the soleof the ski boot spaced from the surface of the ski to thereby form anexclusively anti-friction suspension of the ski boot and to therebyminimize variations in the force necessary to operate the ski bindingrelease as a result of variations in the weight distribution whilesimultaneously avoiding variations in the frictional forces that mightotherwise affect the release.
 4. A safety ski binding according to claim3, characterized in that the toe lug means engages with a roller meansrotatably supported in the toe support means about a substantiallyvertical axis and restraining the toe lug means against lateral movementof the boot in the absence of a force overcoming the spring-loading bysaid spring means.
 5. A safety ski binding according to claim 4,characterized in that the heel support means includes a roller meansrotatable about a substantially horizontal axis which engages with aninclined surface of the heel lug means.
 6. A safety ski bindingaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the other surface of theheel lug means is substantially horizontal and engages with asubstantially horizontal surface in said heel support means.
 7. A safetyski binding according to claim 6, characterized by lever means pivotallymounted in the toe support means for guiding the toe lug means intoproper engagement with the toe roller means and for enablingdisengagement of the toe roller means from said toe lug means bydepressing said lever means.
 8. A safety ski binding according to claim7, characterized in that said toe support means includes a housingcontaining therewithin a spring, the forward end of said spring restingagainst an abutment and the rear end of said spring resting against across-head structure slidably mounted relative to the housing, saidcross-head structure rotatably supporting the toe roller means.
 9. Asafety binding according to claim 3, wherein said spring means springloads the toe support means to enable a displacement thereof in theforward direction of the ski against the force of the spring means. 10.A safety ski binding according to claim 9, characterized by means in thetoe support means operable to guide the toe support means intoengagement with the toe lug means as well as to actuate the spring meansfor purposes of disengagement of the toe support means from said toe lugmeans.
 11. A safety ski binding according to claim 1, characterized inthat the heel support means includes a roller means rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis which engages with an inclined surface ofthe heel lug means.
 12. A safety ski binding according to claim 1,characterized in that the other surface of the heel lug means issubstantially horizontal and engages with a substantially horizontalsurface in said heel support means.
 13. A safety binding according toclaim 11, characterized in that the roller means is substantiallycylindrical.
 14. A safety ski binding according to claim 1,characterized by lever means pivotally mounted in the toe support meansfor guiding the toe lug means into proper engagement and for enablingdisengagement of the toe support means from said toe lug means bydepressing said lever means.
 15. A safety ski binding according to claim1, characterized in that said lug and support means maintain apredetermined free clearance between the underside of the ski bOot soleand the top of the ski over the entire area of the ski boot sole.
 16. Asafety ski binding according to claim 15, characterized in that only onespring is used in the safety binding.
 17. A safety binding according toclaim 1, characterized in that substantially exclusively relativerolling movement between respective toe lug and support means enablesrelease of the binding.
 18. A safety ski binding according to claim 1,wherein said spring means spring loads the toe support means to enable adisplacement thereof in the forward direction of the ski against theforce of the spring means.
 19. A safety ski binding according to claim1, characterized in that the ski boot is supported exclusively by saidtoe and heel support means with respect to the ski.
 20. A safety skibinding which includes a toe structure and a heel structure,characterized by means releasably holding at least the entire forwardportion of the underside of the sole of the ski boot spaced from thesurface of the ski including toe and heel lug means projecting forwardlyand rearwardly from the boot sole, and fixedly mounted toe and heelsupport means on the ski each including anti-friction roller means forengagement with the respective lug means, one of said support meansincluding spring means for spring-loading the binding to normally clampthe boot to the ski while enabling release in case of predeterminedforce, said toe support means including a housing containing therewithina spring, the forward end of said spring resting against an abutment andthe rear end of said spring resting against a cross-head structureslidably mounted relative to the housing, said cross-head structurerotatably supporting a toe roller means.
 21. A safety ski bindingaccording to claim 20, characterized by lever means pivotally mounted inthe toe support means for guiding the toe lug means into properengagement with the toe roller means and for enabling disengagement ofthe roller means from said toe lug means by depressing said lever means.22. A safety ski binding which includes a toe structure and a heelstructure, characterized by means of releasably holding at least theentire forward portion of the underside of the sole of the ski bootspaced from the surface of the ski including toe and heel lug meansprojecting forwardly and rearwardly from the boot sole, and fixedlymounted toe and heel support means on the ski each includinganti-friction roller means for engagement with the respective lug means,one of said support means including spring means for spring-loading thebinding to normally clamp the boot to the ski while enabling release incase of predetermined force, said toe and heel support means includingthe anti-friction roller means thereof holding the entire underside ofthe sole of the ski boot spaced from the surface to thereby minimizevariations in the force necessary to operate the ski binding release asa result of variations in the weight distribution while simultaneouslyavoiding variations in the frictional forces that might otherwise affectthe release, the toe lug means engaging with a roller means rotatablysupported in the toe support means about a substantially vertical axisand restraining the toe lug means against lateral movement of the bootin the absence of a force overcoming the spring-loading by said springmeans, said roller means having a substantially hour-glass shape whilethe toe lug means includes a transversely extending portion with adepression substantially complementary to the hour-glass shape.